From movie locales to mobile devices: Orbitz forecasts 2013 travel trends

The Super Bowl and Mardi Gras will make New Orleans amajor travel hotspot this year. Photo: Medioimages/Photodisc

By Jeanenne Tornatore

What will be trending this year as the hottest destinations and best bets for deals? We’ve just released our 2013 forecast of all things travel and here’s the inside scoop:

Travelers looking for some vacation inspiration will find Orbitz’s three picks for this year’s hotspots as diverse as one is distant. Whether celebrating the Super Bowl in New Orleans, retracing the Hobbit’s footsteps in New Zealand, or taking in the history and hospitality of that southern gem called Charleston, there’s plenty happening in 2013 to put these locales at the top of the list.

For those who find satisfaction in getting a great deal, Orbitz dishes some value destinations that won’t disappoint. This year, sun-seekers will reap the most reward with picks from the Southwest to the Caribbean. Orlando continues to reign as a go-to family and value destination in 2013 thanks to the large hotel inventory with prices for all budgets, and the Dominican Republic showcases some of the best prices in the Caribbean and adds more flights to remote areas. Phoenix also makes it into the mix thanks to average hotel rates as low as $100 a night and affordable excursions to towns like nearby Tucson, host to many arts and culture events throughout the year.

And who doesn’t love a good comeback story? On the heels of Hurricane Sandy, Orbitz proclaims Atlantic City will be the comeback kid of 2013. Avoiding any major permanent storm damage, this resort town is very much up and running and with new hotels such as Revel, designer shopping, world-class restaurants and A-list entertainment like Lady Gaga, Kanye West and Beyonce, Atlantic City has become much more than just a gaming destination.

Lastly, in this age of technology, travel trends just as often point to how travelers are booking their vacations as much as they are about where they are going. Orbitz makes three final keen predictions for the coming year: 1) bookings via mobile devices will continue to explode, including buying even international packages on smartphones and tablets, 2) social media-savvy consumers will continue to cash in on even more insider deals from their favorite travel companies, and 3) expect an uptick in international travel with particularly good deals across the pond in England and Ireland.

Visit the Orbitz Insider Index 2013 Travel Forecast for our entire list of travel trends in the new year.

 Jeanenne Tornatore is a senior editor for Orbitz.com.

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